Letters.

Hold That Cancellation

December 10, 1999

NORTHBROOK--Well, how about that! Just as I was getting ready to cancel my Tribune subscription, the Tempo staff came up with "A Human Drama--The precarious life of a small Chicago theater company" (Nov. 28-Dec. 2), a creative and engaging series on the life and near death of a struggling theater group, one of the many upon which this city's deserved reputation as a cultural capital has in large part grown.

It is more of this kind of thoughtful reporting that Tempo needs, and less of the too easy rehash of some major entertainment marketer's press release, of which I had grown so weary. My twin hopes for "A Human Drama" are that it will stimulate more people to get out and experience the unmatchable thrill of live theater, and that it signals an exciting trend in the Tribune's Tempo reporting.

-- Geoff Isaac

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

CHICAGO--I just want to say thanks to you people at Tempo for making my days so pleasant.

"A Human Drama" was so nicely and humanly written and it reminded me of what goes on daily in the world of "little theaters," my having been part of a little company in the early '40s. The open, easily readable format that you gave this series is to be applauded. That you were willing to devote the major space of five first pages to this series certainly demonstrates your recognition of the arts in the Chicago area and your desire to give them the support that they justify.

I have been a Tribune reader since the 30s, but I do believe the coverage and quality of writing given to humanities subjects has become first rate. I see the Tribune striving to give the broad coverage necessary to make their interest authentic. Please keep striving.

-- Charley Voss

NON-PROFIT ARTS WORLD

CHICAGO--Congratulations on your series on the Famous Door Theater. It was well-written, engaging, and showed the ups and downs of the non-profit arts world. I read every article in the series with great interest.

-- Julie Parson-Nesbitt, Executive Director, Guild Complex

VIEW OF ILLINOIS

MAPLE VALLEY, Wash.--I enjoyed the five articles about "The Other Illinois" by William Recktenwald. I lived in Illinois until 1949 when the family moved to the State of Washington.

We lived in Chicago (Rogers Park) and moved to Palatine in 1942. The population of Palatine then was 2,000 people. Now I see it is approaching 70,000 people!

I do enjoy the Internet edition. Thank you all for having this service.